Feargus Ó Conchúir

Feargus Ó Conchúir has spent the past year learning survival skills to continue choreographing. Recipient of a Clore Fellowship in June 2005 his goal hasn’t just been to hone his craft, but develop the leadership skills that go hand in hand with the act of creation these days. After studying English and European Literature at Magdalen College Oxford he went to London Contemporary Dance School and his choreography reflects this combination of word and movement.

In “Vespers” (2001), “Tearmann” (2003), “Sulán” (2003), “An dá thrá” (2004) and “Cosán Dearg” (2005) there is the undercurrent of the marginal language – Irish, Ó Conchúir is a native speaker – with a marginal artform. But his wordless dance film “The Match” with director Dearbhla Walsh filmed in the vast empty stadium of Croke Park in Dublin placed him in the public eye when it was screened on national ­television this year. Slipped into prime-time viewing the 10 minute short provoked calls to talk radio shows, not angry just curious. The two grappling male dancers also grapple with issues of identity within Irish culture which is magnified within the iconic location where the drama of Ireland’s national sports, hurling and ...